SAN JUAN City – Jose Rizal University grabbed solo second spot in Group A via a pulsating 70-68 victory in overtime over National University at the resumption of the 2015 FilOil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup at the San Juan Arena Wednesday (May 27). The 5-1 Heavy Bombers are now half a game behind undefeated University of Perpetual Help System-Dalta (5-0).

Jordan de la Paz hit the game-winner with two seconds remaining in the extra period. Earlier, Jayjay Alejandro forced the overtime by tying the game with a late triple.

Almost lost in the din of JRU’s triumph was defending champion De La Salle University’s grabbing a share of the Group B lead by crushing Mapua Institute of Technology, 96-86. The Green Archers rose to 5-1 to tie idle Centro Escolar University while the Cardinals moved closer to elimination at 1-5.

Southwestern University also barged into the win column after dropping its first two assignments by whipping the University of the Philippines, 73-60. The Maroons (1-6) now find themselves alone at the bottom of Group B.

It was a good day for La Sallian schools as the College of Saint Benilde relied on a strong second half to outlast Adamson University, 79-69. In the only high school game, La Salle Green Hills started strong and had enough left to ward off the Adamson Junior Falcons, 67-61.

University of Santo Tomas kept their playoff hopes alive by dropping the Lyceum of the Philippines University, 72-66. The Tigers hope to sweep their remaining three games as they are a game and a half outside of the top four places in Group B.

Meanwhile, the league will extend assistance to the family of the late Carl Jimwell “CJ” Servillon, the JRU Light Bomber who collapsed in their game against De La Salle-Zobel last May 22 (Friday) and died two days later at the Cardinal Santos Hospital. Organizers also vowed that the unfortunate incident would not go in vain and will go the further improvement of the conduct of the games.

“We may require all players to sign waivers and undergo physical examinations,” said Coach Virgil Villavicencio. For his part, FilOil Flying Sports General Manager Joey Guillermo explained that all efforts were exerted to save CJ’s life and that the ambulance reached the hospital within 10 minutes.

“The game started at 10:00 AM and he collapsed sometime in the second period which was around 10:20 AM,” said Guillermo. “The records and CCTV footage will show that the ambulance arrived at Cardinal Santos by 10:30 AM.”

The JRU-DLSZ tiff was eventually discontinued and forfeited in the Junior Archers’ favor, 20-0. The Light Bombers (0-3) are not yet sure if they will still show up for their final game against the winless San Beda Red Cubs (0-2) as both teams are already out of the running for a playoff berth.